- Gen Z is transforming work communication with informal and comedic out-of-office emails.
- Some bosses and workplace experts say it's helping change office culture in deep ways.
- A casual workplace can bring advantages but also risks appearing unprofessional.
Gen Z is rewriting the rules of work communication — starting with out-of-office emails.
Company leaders told Business Insider they've noticed a rise in informal and comedic out-of-office emails from the youngest employees in recent years.
They said these types of emails usually consist of jokes, puns, and emojis instead of the conventional, bare-bones message stating when you'll be back.
The trend is part of a wider shift in workplace culture being driven by Gen Z.
While the shift could help people lighten up a bit, the experts said, there's also a risk that relaxing too much comes at the expense of professionalism. It could also annoy your boomer boss.
A new work-life balance
Gen Z's email habits have been turning heads, The Guardian reported last week.
The Guardian cited a few examples from social media: "On vacation. Hoping to win the lottery and never return," and "Contact literally anyone else but me."
Jokes about the workplace trend first surfaced on TikTok in 2022, but it could have a lasting impact on office culture, the experts who spoke to BI said.
Some of it is good.
Lucas Botzen, the CEO of the workplace platform Rivermate, told BI by email that he's noticed an increase in emojis, casual language, and jokes in emails from Gen Z employees. He said it "makes for a more informal and approachable workplace culture."
"It gives way to more real and more efficient communication when people are comfortable being themselves," he said.
Steven Athwal, the founder of the UK retailer The Big Phone Store, told BI that the trend marks a larger "prioritization of a work-life balance" and personal boundaries.
He's noticed it in his own staff of about 45, which a representative said includes 20 Gen Zers.
Athwal said the change in etiquette extends beyond out-of-office emails. He's seen it in Gen Z résumés, regular work emails, and Microsoft Teams messages.
About 71% of people surveyed on behalf of the UK bank Barclays last August said they believed Gen Z was changing the formality of language in the workplace, while 73% said the shift was making their work-communication style more casual.
Between coworkers only
Casual emails could backfire if sent to the wrong person.
Daniel Harris, a director at the recruitment firm Robert Walters, told BI that he's also noticed Gen Z employees signing off emails with fun and informal taglines. Instead of the conventional "Many thanks," they might say: "Stay fresh, never frozen."
Lines like that "run the risk of being seen as rude or disrespectful," Harris said.
He said that kind of language could confuse older generations, who might struggle to respond. He added that it could come off as unprofessional or disrespectful if sent to a manager.
"My advice to young professionals is to be conscious of your audience," he said. "Sending excessively casual or joke-laden emails to your line manager or above can be a surefire way of damaging your professional image, whereas exchanging jokes between colleagues can help workplace relationships flourish."
Botzen also said email etiquette should depend on the recipient. He told BI he has no issue with his employees using casual language with colleagues, but they should be careful with clients or partners.
Paola Accettola, the CEO of the Canada-based consultancy True North HR, also said fun out-of-office emails should usually be reserved for coworkers only.
"Employees setting boundaries and having fun is a positive thing," she said. "Still, it can present problems if a colleague or client misinterprets what is meant to be a funny out-of-office email or email sign-off."
"It's important to always consider how your message could be received to prevent causing any misunderstandings," she added.
